On July 2, 2003, the International Olympic Committee selected Vancouver as host city for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Athletes and spectators from around the world will gather in Vancouver and the alpine resort of Whistler in February and March 2010 to celebrate a cavalcade of winter sporting excellence. The 2010 Winter Games, along with the region's spectacular natural playground and its vibrant state-of-the-art venues, will put Vancouver in the spotlight as a premier sporting destination.

To search Tourism Vancouver’s media specific Olympic Story Starters, click here For access to Olympic story ideas and media resources related to the Olympic region - including Richmond, Whistler, British Columbia and Canada - visit www.destination2010.ca. For the latest information from the Organizing Committee of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, visit www.vancouver2010.com.

• WHAT'S ON WHERE
  
• SYMBOLS AND MASCOTS
  
• VANCOUVER: A CITY OF OLYMPIC FIRSTS
  
• OLYMPIC SPOTTING
  

What's On Where?

For a total of 27 days when Vancouver hosts the 2010 Winter Games, the world will be able to see Vancouver's top facilities that have been renovated or built for 2010.

BC Place
Thanks to its 10-acre, white fabric roof, BC Place Stadium is sometimes called a giant marshmallow or an enormous fluffy pillow. In 2010, it will also be home to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Games (with the exception of the Paralympic Closing Ceremony which will be held in Whistler) as well as nightly medal presentations (Victory Ceremonies).

Pacific Coliseum
For over 40 years, the Pacific Coliseum has drawn visitors this part of East Vancouver to attend countless hockey games, rock concerts, ice shows and other sporting and cultural events. In 2010, the Pacific Coliseum will add "Olympic venue" to its resume when it plays host to the 2010 Winter Games' figure skating and short track speed skating competitions.

UBC Thunderbird Arena
The University of British Columbia, the oceanfront campus located in Vancouver's west side, has held an international reputation for excellence in research and learning for over a century. In February and March of 2010, its redeveloped Thunderbird Arena will also be home to ice hockey and Paralympic sledge hockey competitions.

Vancouver Olympic Centre/Vancouver Paralympic Centre
Curling shouts of "Hurry! Hard!" will replace the more often heard "Play ball!" when the Riley-Hillcrest neighbourhood hosts the 2010 Winter Games' curling competition in the newly-constructed Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Centre. Famous for its baseball parks and the 130-acre Queen Elizabeth Park, this middle-class neighbourhood is tucked between Cambie Street (where the new Canada Line rapid transit line runs) and Main Street (where shoppers will find a delightful stretch of antique shops, eclectic eateries and independent boutiques).

Canada Hockey Place
During the 2010 Winter Games, GM Place (home ice of the NHL's Vancouver Canucks) will be renamed Canada Hockey Place and play host to the men's and women's ice hockey tournaments (preliminary rounds will also be staged at the UBC Thunderbird Arena). The arena sits on the edge of Vancouver's downtown, right next door to BC Place Stadium.

Cypress Mountain
Just over the Lions Gate Bridge in West Vancouver towers Cypress Mountain, host of freestyle skiing and snowboarding events. Atop the mountain, panoramic views of the city and harbour are a given. Some of the venue upgrades include a new lodge, modifications to existing runs and a new freestyle site for aerials.

Richmond Olympic Oval
There is no doubt that the Richmond Olympic Oval is truly an architectural icon, not only for its state-of-the-art athletic facilities and features, but also for the sustainable, accessible, and artistic function in its design. The Oval, where the long-track speed skating competitions will take place, is located on the banks of the Fraser River across from the Vancouver International Airport. Post-Games, the Oval will become fully-accessible and will be used for summer and winter sports simultaneously.

Main Media Centre (MMC)
During the 2010 Winter Games, the MMC will be located in the Vancouver Convention Centre. The East Wing will house the Main Press Centre (MPC), providing workspace for approximately 2,800 accredited members of the written and photographic press. The new West Wing will function as the International Broadcast Centre (IBC), providing space to some 7,000 accredited broadcasters and technicians, who will provide live TV and radio coverage of the 2010 Winter Games.

Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver
A new neighbourhood is emerging in Vancouver, and Olympic and Paralympic athletes competing in the 2010 Winter Games will be the first to call it home. Located on the southeast shore of False Creek, the development transformed this former industrial zone into a model for sustainable living that will become a vibrant community with parks, activity centres and shops after the 2010 Winter Games.

Story idea Consider a story profiling the new venues being built in Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Your story could focus on the legacy that each of the new venues will leave for the city - and for visitors - and could include interviews with local up-and-coming athletes who are hoping to participate in the Games.

Story idea Consider a story around the accessibility and sustainability of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Vancouver has always been a leader in both areas. Your story can outline how the 2010 Winter Games reflect the city's standards. Include details on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria followed when new venues were designed and how all Olympic venues and facilities will have barrier-free access for the disabled.

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Symbols and Mascots

The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) has selected a contemporary interpretation of the inukshuk as the official emblem of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Inukshuks are stone sculptures traditionally used by Canada's Inuit people as directional landmarks across the north, but have become adopted as a symbol of hope, friendship and hospitality throughout Canada. The emblem was unveiled in 2005 and named "Ilanaaq," the Inuit word for friend.

In 2007, three creatures named Miga, Quatchi and Sumi were introduced as the mascots for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. Designed by the Vancouver-based company Meomi Design, Miga, Quatchi and Sumi were inspired by Aboriginal mythological creatures and also strongly influenced by popular culture, modern animation styles, the Olympic and Paralympic movements, the culture and wildlife of British Columbia and Canada, and the artists' own imagination. Each of the creatures is unique, both in personality and physical appearance.

Miga is a snowboarding sea bear inspired by the legends of the Pacific Northwest First Nations - tales of orca whales that transform into bears when they arrive on land. Part "Spirit" bear, a rare white bear unique to B.C., Miga's outgoing spirit and high energy draw her to action and adventure.

Quatchi, a shy and gentle giant, is a Sasquatch - a popular figure in local Aboriginal legends of the Pacific West Coast. Quatchi reminds us of the mystery and wonder associated with the great Canadian wilderness. Although Quatchi loves all winter sports, he's especially fond of hockey and dreams of becoming a world-famous goalie.

Sumi is an animal spirit who wears the hat of the orca whale, flies with the wings of the mighty thunderbird and runs on the furry legs of the black bear. With a name that is derived from the Salish word "sumesh," meaning "guardian spirit," Sumi is passionate about the environment and is a fan of all Paralympic sports.

Joining the three mascots is a friend, or "sidekick," by the name of Mukmuk. Mukmuk is a rare marmot unique to the mountains of Vancouver Island. While he's not officially a mascot, Mukmuk is considered an honourary member of the team and enjoys surprising his friends by popping up on occasion to share in the spirit and fun of the Games. Mukmuk's name comes from the Squamish word for food ("mukamuck") because he loves to eat when he's not playing with his mascot friends.

Story idea Consider a story on the arts and cultural components of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Your story could start with the inukshuk emblem design, branch out to include stories from First Nations artists involved in the 2010 Winter Games and include previews of the cultural events planned to coincide with the sporting schedule.

Trivia The region has bid for the Olympics before. Whistler was unsuccessful in trying to bring the Winter Games here in 1976.

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